Ukrainian movie review website Kinovechir (literal translation “Movie Night”) recently published a list of Ukrainian Christmas and New Year films, which it says focus on “kindness and miracles” amidst a time of tension and anxiety.
“This year, it seems like we are truly returning to our roots, to our traditions, to the real Christmas and New Year celebrated according to the calendar our ancestors honored,” Kinovechir says ahead of its rundown of eight favorite holiday films to bring “coziness, laughter and festive cheer.”
The titles that made the list are worth exploring for anyone interested in discovering Ukrainian filmmaking talent:
- “The Guardians of Christmas” (2025) – directed by Oleksandr Kirienko, the film tells the story of three legendary gift-givers – St. Nicholas, Santa Claus, and the Spirit of Winter – who must unite to save Christmas after a little girl’s wish erases the holiday and its magic from the world, forcing them to become ordinary humans and restore faith in miracles.
- “Now I Will Love You” (2015) – a Ukrainian-Georgian romantic comedy directed by Roman Shirman about a middle-aged restaurateur who, after his wife leaves him, becomes entangled in a complicated and tragicomic love triangle. The film delves into the question of which force will prevail: genuine yet perhaps futile love, pragmatic calculation, or frantic efforts at self-assurance.
- “Only A Miracle” (2019) – this fantasy film by director and screenwriter Olena Karetnyk follows a kind 17-year-old boy, Severin, in a mountain town stuck in a perpetual winter. The film emphasizes family, courage, and the spirit of the holidays, connecting to the Ukrainian tradition of St. Nicholas.
- “The Adventures of St. Nicholas” (2018) – a family comedy by director Semen Horov. A young boy named Artem and his family have recently relocated from the city to a small village in the Carpathian Mountains. However, when St. Nicholas appears, Artem soon discovers he is not the real saint, but rather a thief in disguise – cue acts of courage, ingenuity, and agility to expose the villain and save the day.
- “My Grandfather is Ded Moroz” (2020) – the debut feature film by director Serhiy Shlakhtiuk tells the story of 9-year-old Maksym, who travels to Kyiv to find his grandfather, whom he believes is the real Ded Moroz (Father Frost), so he can make a heartfelt wish for his father’s safe return from a secret military mission.
- “The Infernal Banner,” or “Cossack Christmas” (2019) – a family-friendly fantasy tale featuring elements of Ukrainian folklore and directed by Mykhailo Kostrov. The central plot revolves around a bet between the Devil and Saint Peter, in which the Devil attempts to capture the soul of a heroic Cossack warrior, before Christmas night. Events then follow a quest to resist intimidation, escape captivity and return to freedom.
- “DZIDZIO: The Angels Gaze in Wonder! (2014) – a popular comedy that centers around the lead character Dzidzio, played by Ukrainian singer Mykhailo Khoma. The plot focuses on a group of carol singers who use not entirely honest means to make some money. Needless to say, the film has some clear moral messages about the importance of good human qualities and not being greedy, deceptive or seeking personal gain in noble deeds, especially during a time of goodwill.
- “December 31st Express” (2024) – a feel-good family comedy by director Oleh Borshchevskyi. Retiring train conductor Mykola is on his last New Year’s Eve journey from Kyiv to Lviv, which turns chaotic as a diverse group of mismatched passengers board, leading to conflicts and misunderstandings as the train is not the only thing to go off the rails in a snowy field.
Not on Kinovechir’s list is “Carol of the Bells” (2022), directed by Olesya Morgunets-Isaenko. A historical drama, the story follows three families – Ukrainian, Polish, and Jewish – living together in pre-war Ukraine, whose peaceful life is shattered by Soviet and Nazi occupations.
The film depicts their survival, sacrifice and the enduring power of hope and family amidst the horrors of World War II. Symbolizing unity and a bountiful future, the beloved Christmas carol “Carol of the Bells” is a central musical theme, based on the Ukrainian folk tune “Shchedryk” (The Little Swallow).
Popularity of “Home Alone” in Ukraine
While there is plenty of choice in Ukrainian films, the US holiday classic “Home Alone” (1990, dir. Chris Columbus) remains much-loved and enduringly popular among Ukrainians.
But why?
In December 2024, NPR reported from Kyiv on why this festive classic resonates so much with Ukrainians.
“Because it’s a really small kid, it’s a universal language. So it’s funny, and we all like small kids. It’s lovely,” one interviewee said.
“It is so loved for its sincerity, its warmth and its festivity. These days, it’s easy to think of ‘Home Alone’ as a kind of metaphor for what Ukraine is experiencing since Russia’s invasion,” another said.
Another reason for the film’s popularity, according to NPR’s Brian Mann, is the film’s score, which includes “Carol Of The Bells” as a recurring motif.
If you have yet to watch any of the Ukrainian films in the above list – why not make 2025 your year to search them out?